Why Camp What If: Akron?
No cost to families
TomTod devotes time year-round securing funding for Camp What If so that no middle schooler or their family pays to attend. Affordable camps for middle schoolers are few and far between. Free camp for the win!
Quality camp staff
To be hired as a camp counselor (or Pathfinder, as we call them) all applicants must go through a multi-step interview process and background check. Previous experience working with middle schoolers is a priority, and staff are paid well to attract the highest quality applicants.
Lunch from local restaurants
You can’t come up with ideas on an empty stomach! We provide healthy snacks available to campers throughout the day. The best part is getting lunch from local restaurants! Last year we ate lunch from Diamond Deli, Chin’s Place, and Twisted Tomato, to name a few!
Middle schoolers love it!
“I loved getting out in the community and learning how to be creative in a unique setting!”
2023 Camper
Parents love it!
“I will honestly say that my daughter had a bit of a ‘spark’ after our first week with TomTod. Quick ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers turned into long narratives that filled our entire ride home each day.”
2023 Parent
Program & Funding Partners
What Sets Us Apart
Community-Based Programming
Camp What If: Akron is made for, hosted in, and centered around Akron. Middle schoolers from Akron explore their city, meet community leaders, and create ideas that will directly affect their neighbors.
Middle Schoolers Matter
Campers don’t just listen to what adults are saying about their community. They have a voice too. Throughout the week, we weave in Design Thinking strategies and discover how to create ideas. By Friday, campers will have brainstormed 100s of ideas for their community, worked on one idea with a small group, and will present their idea during our closing program.
High Quality
Camp What If is often compared to many community leadership programs offered to adults. Parents and partners frequently tell us they wish there was a Camp What If for grown-ups.
“TomTod gives us middle schoolers a voice that can be heard and made real.”
– TT Middle Schooler
An average day at
Camp What If
While every day is different at camp, this will give you an idea of the flow. The first half of the week, we spend time exploring the community and talking to community leaders. The second half of the week switches to ideation. Campers take all their learnings from the week, dive into Design Thinking, and come up with ideas to help the community thrive.
9am-11am
Camp Headquarters
Morning
Arrive! Play Giant Jenga Get-2-Know
Design Challenge – Design paper airplanes in groups of 3. Measure your test throws. What is your longest throw?
Choose a snack and relax in a bean bag chair.
11am – 12pm
Lock 3
Community Exploration Prep
20 Questions Game
Open-Ended vs. Closed-Ended Questions Game
Design Challenge – Design 5 different ways to reuse empty plastic containers.
12pm – 1pm
Camp Headquarters
Lunch
Catered lunch from Diamond Deli
1pm – 3pm
Out and About
Community Exploration
City Hall to meet Mayor Malik
Northside Marketplace
3pm – 4pm
Camp Headquarters
Debrief in the Ball Pit
Back to camp HQ for snacks, more games, and exploration debrief
Parent pick-up at 4pm sharp!